First up was a bill sponsored by the committee chairman, Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul,that would expand state background checks that now apply to sales of pistols and assault weapons by licensed gun dealers. Paymar said his bill would extend the same checks to gun shows, internet sales and private sales.

Currently, he said these are "loopholes" that allow people who are not legally allowed to purchase weapons -- such as violent felons and people who have been committed for mental illness -- to buy guns.

The second bill, proposed by Rep. Dan Schoen, DFL-St. Paul Park, would allow local police departments to take a person's known mental health issues into account when deciding whether to grant a permit to purchase weapons.

Representatives of the state's police officers and police chiefs spoke in favor of Paymar's bill, saying it was a reasonable way to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, emphasizing that he supports the 2nd Amendment as a constitutional right, spoke in favor of Schoen's bill.

But in the words of the Mankato Free Press, "Cornish said he and NRA lobbyists believe all of the bills introduced are flawed." With regard to the bill that would expand background checks, Cornish is concerned it "will require a state or federal gun registration system that he opposes."

Meanwhile, gun control-skeptical Republicans are framing the hearings as yet another example of how the DFL is veering off the budget-and-jobs track they vowed to adhere to in the weeks leading up to the legislative session:

Just 30 days into session, DFL already abandoning focus on job creation& the budget to tackle divisive gun legislation. #mnleg

I guess the DFL should have said, "We know lots of people have just been killed and you would normally think the government would look for ways to do something about it, but the incidents happened after the election, and we ran on other stuff, so, you know, sorry. Nothing we can do".

If the news actually reported things or if you could read ED reports there is alarming amount of GSWs lately against unarmed individuals. I legally carry, I will not be a victim. I am a nurse, scoutmaster, single-mother, knitter/quilter, tattooed, pierced Harley rider and I vote!

aaaaaaannnnnndddddddd?????? I wonder how many legislators wore pins in support of gay marriage during the drive for marriage equality? Can someone not support something they believe in without getting ridiculed by liberals? God the liberal mind is fucked in the way they comprehend! Preach one direction, yet act the opposite! Ha, get a life chumps!

DP please show me the real link that I can convert my 16 or 47 to full auto. It would be informative.

Sorry 99% of backlot conversions.. ya you have a single shot that jams on every round. I know armory guys.. It just isn't that simple as filing down a shear or cog. I know MSNBC said it is possible, and in straight logic theory kinda maybe..

But in reality, not something your average psycho or banger is going to invest in.

Want to kill, maim, hurt a lot of ppl, get a couple of 6 shot shot guns, load with 00 and well we're having a killing spree. add in a pistol or two and oh well we're going to die anyways lets throw in the explosive vest..

The assault gun ban is a stupid waste of time. (again) Useless feelgood laws.. Again how well did that work in OK?

@CinBlueland@digitalprotocol@_Joe_ BUMPFIRE respond to that....are you afraid of a gangbanger killing you? respond to that. I love how they look, yet i dont have one... respond to that....you're into motorcycles? respond to that.

you guys havent even read the article or the comments it seems. it seems you are doing the same bullshit move as this cornish oaf : when people want to talk about restrictions on guns, YOU YELL ABOUT GUNS. Effectively stopping all progress

@digitalprotocol You lost me at "bump fire" That proves beyond the shadow of doubt you don't know what you're talking about. I've never been able to "bump fire" a single firearm of mine, and if I could, I would fix it, as it was defective.

All that aside, I don't care of much you jiggle a semi-auto prone to "bump fire." You will never attain the fire rate it's full auto brothers.

@digitalprotocol@_Joe_ Good for you, you're almost a responsible weapon owner. You like many others realize the power and lethality there. Where you forget to draw the line is many of us just do this for sport.

@_Joe_ sorry bud that holds no water. Any novice can bumpfire your stupid gun and shoot as fast as fully auto. you can also easily look on web to find what part to replace or file down to get a machine gun BRO!

I think military style weapons are some of the sweetest things i've ever seen in my life. I want them all just like you. the only difference is i am educated and realize the consequences of having such power at the tip of my fingers.

@digitalprotocol Well slurs aside, I think he's supporting the rights of Americans who are suddenly being treated like criminals despite the fact that OUR rifles have never been misused. And you make my point for me when you say "military style." The civilian AR is a semi auto version of the "military" version. There is no selective fire. One shot per trigger pull. It LOOKS the same, but functions differently at a fundamental level.

he is avoiding talking about any measure of reform with regards to guns by talking about guns. His stupid AK47 pin, his fat pig mouth, and his obvious disregard for common sense all leads me to believe he is doing nothing for improving the common good.

Your military style weaponry WILL be confiscated from you, im quite sure.

@digitalprotocol@CinBlueland Joe, others.. I'm going to agree with DP on this one.. Yes with a hellfire trigger, proper gas chamber setup, proper ammunition, good magazine clip properly cleaned.. In theory you can dump 30 rounds as fast as an fully automatic.

DP, now answer me, what banging thug who actually uses one of these in a drive by etc (Less than 1%) Has dumped 10k into his weapon and then spent another grand on ammunition to be proficient.

Look the stats prove you wrong, most "gang shootings" are done with pistols. Pistols obtained by straw buyers (fast and furious) or other illegal means.. Their registration to their original legal purchaser is meaningless.